On Deck: Bears

Receive the latest blue-star updates in your inbox

On Deck will be here all season to provide you with everything you need to know (and a few things you don't) about every Cowboys game during the 2013 season.

The Opponent: The Chicago Bears get a well-rested Cowboys team that will have had 11 days between games since beating the Oakland Raiders on Thanksgiving Day. The Cowboys seem to have found an identity offensively with the emergence of the running game in recent weeks behind DeMarco Murray, who has been big in the running and passing game. The Bears have struggled since Jay Cutler went down with injury, and it's not because of the play of backup Josh McCown, who's been very good in Cutler's absence. The Bears just aren't winning, and it's most likely because of their defensive issues. This ain't your daddy's Bears defense, folks.

Key Matchup:DAL CB Brandon Carr vs. CHI WR Brandon Marshall: Last time Brandon Marshall faced the Cowboys a year ago, he torched Brandon Carr for 138 yards and a touchdown on seven catches. Marshall should benefit this week by the explosive performance by his teammate Alshon Jeffery, who had 249 yards and two scores in the Bears' OT loss to the Vikings on Sunday. Dallas will have to pay close attention to both, and Marshall is still the better of the two.

Who's Hot: The Cowboys running game was very good against a solid Oakland rush defense. Sure, they lost Lance Dunbar for the season after he'd rushed for 82 yards, but they still have DeMarco Murray, who scored three touchdowns and accounted for 102 total yards (39 receiving).

For the Bears, look no further than McCown and the aforementioned Jeffery, who broke his own team record for receiving yards in a game with his great game on Sunday. His touchdown grab over a Vikings defender has to be one of the best catches of the year in the NFL.

Who's Not: After a stretch that made it look like the Cowboys had their new No. 2 receiver, Terrance Williams has fallen out of favor in a big way. The rookie out of Baylor had just three catches on Thanksgiving Day and fumbled the opening kickoff, which was returned for a touchdown.

The Bears run defense has been pathetic all year, which sets up for a nice game for Murray. Granted, it was Adrian Peterson, but the Bears let the All-Pro rush for 211 yards in Sunday's loss to the VIkings.